Rock Island County

Illinois Genealogy and History

The Sac
and Fox Indians of Illinois

About 1722 northwestern Illinois became the home and the hunting ground
of the Sacs and Foxes. The word "Ou-Sakis " or "Sau-Kee," now written Sac
and Sauk, is derived from the compound word "A-Sau-we-Kee" signifying
yellow earth, and "Mus-qua-Kee," the original name of the Foxes, means red
earth. The early French named this tribe, Renards and the Americans called
them Foxes. These tribes originally lived on the St. Lawrence River near
Quebec and Montreal. The Foxes were the first to migrate west. They
settled along the river that bears their name and which empties into Green
Bay. The Sacs after a long and bloody war with the Iroquois were driven
from the St. Lawrence River westward. They were next engaged in war with
the Wyandottes, and again were they compelled to hurry towards the setting
sun, until at length they reached Green Bay on Lake Michigan, near where
the Foxes had made their habitation. Here it seems both tribes were
frequently attacked by other tribes of Indians, until at last they united,
forming an offensive and defensive union, each however, retaining its
tribal name. Through intermarriage and long residence they became
substantially one people, an alliance lasting to this day. Both the Sacs
and Foxes belong to the Algonquin family.

At what time these two tribes came to Green Bay is not known. Marquette's
map of 1673 locates the Foxes on the Fox River between the present Green
Bay and Lake Winnebago. Father Claude Allouez, when he established the
mission of St. Francis Xavier in 1669, found them located near, and in
1672 he commenced preaching the gospel to them. Early in the eighteenth
century they were driven from Green Bay and the Fox River by the
Menominees, who were aided by the Ottawas, Chippewas and the French.

The Sacs and Foxes made depredations on the French traders and exacted
tribute from them, whereon the French commandant of the post at Green Bay
took a party of his men in covered boats, and while distracting the
attention of the Indians, opened fire on them from the water, at the same
time that his Menominee allies attacked their village from the banks in
the rear. Those who survived the slaughter removed to the Mississippi
River. On arriving there they found that country inhabited by the Sauteaux,
a branch of the Chippewa tribe. Upon these they commenced war, finally
driving them out of the country, which they then took possession of and
occupied. This was about 1722.

These tribes next waged war upon the Mascoutins and in a battle opposite
the mouth of the Iowa River defeated and almost exterminated this tribe.
They then formed an alliance with the Pottawattomies, Menominees and
Winnebagoes, and together attacked the Illinois and gradually drove these
people further southward.

The Sacs and Foxes have warred with the Sioux, the Pawnees, Osages and
other Indians, and their record shows that they ranked among the fiercest
and most warlike tribes. Drake said of them: "The Sacs and Foxes are a
truly courageous people, shrewd, politic and enterprising, with not more
of ferocity and treachery of character than is common among the tribes by
whom they were surrounded."

For more information on Sac and Fox Indians we highly suggest our
readers view the extensive historical information provided by Access
Genealogy online for all Native American Tribes. You can find the specific
Sac and Fox information below: